Heraldry is all around us, on public and private buildings from schools and churches to castles and modern corporate
office complexes and can be found on many household items from cutlery to bookplates. Originally intended to aid
identification of families or organisations, heraldry offers potentially valuable research sources to uncover layers of
history including rich details of family lineage, industrial or institutional associations, and other aspects of life and
work across the centuries.
Arising in the twelfth century, heraldry still has relevance for contemporary life with individuals, organisations and
institutions still applying for their own coat of arms. It is also a valuable subject for historians, particularly those with a
focus on genealogy, as a coat of arms can reveal information about an individual, a family, a business or even a
location.
The City of Bath Heraldic Society was established in 1950 and offers members a more informal opportunity to share
knowledge, discuss heraldic conundrums, and help with the understanding and learning of this sometimes complex,
yet always interesting, subject. Our membership includes those new to the subject as well as those with both an
existing and expert background in heraldry.
The Society meets monthly January-May, September-November, to listen to a talk given by a guest speaker or society
member, in a friendly setting in the centre of Bath with light refreshments provided to encourage informal discussion
and the exchange of ideas and learning
Please see our list of forthcoming lectures, talks and visits for this year on our programme page.
Membership is £12 per annum running from 1st of January to 31st December.
If you would like to join the society, please click here and complete the membership application form and forward it to
the email address given and the membership secretary will contact you.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to our next meeting!
